BEIRUT, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's President Michel Aoun said Friday that his country is willing to host any regional or international sports tournaments and that Lebanon's capability to host large events would be recognized after this year's the FIBA Asia Cup.
The Presidential media office said that the President's comments came during a meeting at the Baabda Palace where he welcomed a delegation from FIBA headed by its president Horacio Muratore in the presence of Lebanese Basketball Federation head Pierre Kakhia and former NBA star and Chinese Basketball Association president Yao Ming.
Muratore thanked Aoun for making the tournament possible and personally attending the opening round of the tournament that started on last Tuesday in Lebanon.
"I hope this tournament will help the growth of this game of basketball more and more in Lebanon especially in the youth ranks," Muratore said.
Muratore revealed that a regional office for the international basketball body will be opened in Beirut, confirming "the federation's interest in Lebanon's role in basketball internationally and locally".
Aoun stressed the importance of strengthening ties between Lebanon and FIBA.
"I hope that you will visit Lebanon again whether it be for sports or a just a visit, and witness that despite ongoing wars in the regions, Lebanon enjoys security and stability," Aoun told the delegation.
Yao for his part spoke of his affection for Lebanon and saying his father, also a former basketball player, had visited the country in 1970.
The FIBA Asia Cup will conclude on Sunday, Aug. 20.
Lebanon was knocked out by Iran in the quarter-finals.
The tournament has drawn thousands of fans from all over the region as well as scouts from foreign leagues looking to bolster their club teams.
